William Parker – Mayan Space Station LP

Description

LP version. Includes download code. “Following the release of theMigration of Silence Intoand Out of The Tone World: Volumes 1-1010CD Box and his first book-length biography,Universal Tonality: The Life and Music of William Parkerearlier this year, composer, multi-instrumentalist, poet, griot, improviser and community leader William Parker presents a pair of brand-new studio trio albums which bountifully expound on his vision. One of the most iconic and enduring music leaders to emerge in the world over the last half century, William Parker continues to raise the bar higher.Mayan Space Stationis his first electric guitar trio album, and features Ava Mendoza — electric guitar, William Parker — bass, and Gerald Cleaver — drums. Cosmic multi-hued blues, perfect for space and time travel. The unparalleled rhythmic firmament created by Parker & Cleaver is matched by Mendoza in full flight. All of the promise imagined by a trio recording of these musicians with compositions by Parker is delivered to the fullest. William Parker first worked with Ava Mendoza on a project entitledThunder and Flowersfor his July 2019 residency at The Stone in NYC. Her prodigious talents have illuminated many projects and recordings as both leader and collaborator over the past decade. As is abundantly clear here, she is committed to bringing expressivity, energy and a wide sonic range to the music. Gerald Cleaver is an exceptionally gifted poet of drum sound who can play in the deepest of pockets and manifest all manner of sound to perfectly fit contours within the most open of forms. Cleaver & Parker have worked closely on numerous projects, notably within the nonpareil full-improvising trio,Farmers By Nature, together with Craig Taborn. William Parker is in vibrant grandmaster blossom here on double bass — in both pizzicato & bow-as-prism modes. Regarding the album title, Parker offers: ‘Mayan Space Stationis a conduit for peace and inspiration. It is an oasis where sound and silence navigators stop for sustenance to replenish their imaginations. It is a reality that important to the myth structure of the Tone World chronicle. In a way, musicians, and definitely these particular musicians, belong to the blood line of sonic travelers who, as Sun Ra described it, ‘travel the space ways.’ Re-inventing the process, allowing music to flow through their instruments.’”